It never ceases to amaze me…the thought process of a child. I was cutting a green pepper and when I started to cut out the seeds, I noticed another tiny pepper inside. The green pepper had a baby inside.

I gently removed the baby pepper and showed it to my daughter. She was beyond thrilled that the pepper had a baby. She had endless questions as to why, how…

I started slicing a juicy tomato. My daughter watched closely as I sliced. She then chimes “Is there a baby in the tomato?” I reply “No honey”.

Her response: “It must be a boy!”

It’s all about perspective.

I don’t know about you, but I could certainly benefit from seeing another perspective…other than my own.

As I was reading Proverbs this morning, I took a moment to dissect a verse.

Proverbs 5:21 says “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths.” (NKJV)

When I have read this verse before, I never noticed that “He” was capitalized. Here are the things that stood out to me as I studied this verse.

According to the Blue Letter Bible (online study tool) which gives the Hebrew and Greek definition for the words.

Way = “way, road, distance, journey, manner”

Before = “be in front of”,

Ponders =”to weigh, make level, balance”

Paths = “entrenchment, track” *entrenchment is a ditch of protection

I am not a Greek scholar but from reading and studying this verse…

My journey is in front of God and He is leveling my path.

I encourage you today…God sees you, your life…it’s in front of Him. He will level and balance your path if you allow Him to.

I was thinking of the word hope and couldn’t help but picture a balloon floating in the air. Have you ever been holding a balloon by a string and then let it go? Once the balloon is released, it goes higher and higher.

How about an ice-cube in a glass of water? It gets dropped in and then pushes its way to the top.

What an incredible verse! I can’t think of a better “Person” to get my hope from. In this verse, the Hebrew definition for expectation is “cord”.

In my mind, I picture the string to the balloon as the “cord”, or expectation. It’s tied to the balloon. I think you see where I’m going with this.

As we tie our string to the balloon and let it go, the sky is literally the limit. I do realize balloons can only go so high, but just imagine with me here, and turn off your brain.🙂

As we tie our expectation to God, we are destined to go places. Be something. Do something.

This verse is a great encouragement and reminder to us. You may have set some goals to achieve in this new year. Fantastic! Expect great things as you connect yourself to God and allow Him to guide you.

62 days until Christmas! I can’t wait! I love Christmas for so many reasons. The scent of cinnamon, sugar cookies, and pine needles are only a small part. One of my most favorite things about Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth…AND giving gifts to my family and friends! Here are some tips of how to get gift cards or money for family and friends for Christmas.

As I was thoroughly enjoying my lovely stroll through Target the other night, I couldn’t help but notice a precious toddler coming down the center aisle. It wasn’t his looks or his cute little waddle that caught my attention, it was the fact that he was declaring for all of Target to hear, “I happy”!

Every few seconds, he would declare in a matter-of-fact-kind-of-way, “I happy”.

A sweet boy, who didn’t have a care in the world, was focused on the fact that he was happy, period.

As I was talking to God about a situation in my life, my mind replayed that sweet boy’s voice.

Naturally we think he’s just a small child, he doesn’t have any cares or worries. He is taken care of.

Who knows, he may have had a diaper full of lovely creations, but he made a choice to be happy.

I was reminded that I am taken care of. I don’t have to worry. I have Someone who is doing the caring for me.

I Peter 5:7 says “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
I love how the Amplified Bible says it! Plus, the Amplified Bible uses a lot of words, like a woman.🙂

As we cast all of our cares (every worry) on to Jesus, He will do the caring for us! This verse is one that gives me a sigh of relief. Like a weight has been lifted off of me.

What a great verse to read over and over! I encourage you to replay this verse over and over in your mind. My Pastor always says “Put the Word of God in you when you don’t need it so it will come out when you do!”

A man with a remote control. It is clearly their superpower. You don’t touch it. Period. Even if they are sleeping while watching the TV.

I remember trying to grab the remote off the couch (which happened to be next to my sleeping dad) and I quickly changed the channel. He would say (in his sleep) “Don’t change the channel, I was watching that!” Sound familiar?

There have been many times we have been watching tv with our 3-year-old daughter and we had to quickly change the channel due to the graphic content on the commercials. Have you ever been there?

Have you ever worried about a situation or had negative thoughts about yourself? You find yourself stuck in an unhealthy thought.

Maybe it’s a haunting thought from your past. Something you’re dwelling on that you can’t change.

Change the channel.

Change what you’re thinking about.

Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

Changing the channel to Philippians 4:8 puts an end to doubtful unhealthy thoughts.